Who should become the first person to be drafted to the pelicans?

[NOLa.]

I think Bogut has looked pretty great tonight really.

I have to point out the fact that our team makes a lot of players look good this year.

[NOLa.]

I also feel bogut is overrated but Len is young and already has a polished back to the basket offensive game. He is not just a big body. I've watched him play LOTS this year. When they get him involved good things always happen. If u notice when he has low outputs it's not like he's shooting 30% or sumn. He always goes 50% or better whether he's just 3-6 or 2-4 on nights when those trash guards just jack up shot After shot. He can get better and would make more of an impact on the offensive side of the ball than Noel while still being that shot blocking presence on defense. I understand Noel is athletic n all but I'm good on having another deandre Jordan on this team. We need more than a slam dunk lob guy to man the center position. IMO

I did notice that checking his other games last night, which he is efficient with his shooting. My worry is that for big men in college sometimes it doesn't translate that well in the NBA where everyone else is 7'0" too.

[kclaboy504]

I have to point out the fact that our team makes a lot of players look good this year.

True...bogut is just starting to come around also tho sort of like Gordon for us. He's been injured for a extended period of time also so some slack has to be cut based on that. Pre injury he was pretty darn good actually.

[kclaboy504]

I did notice that checking his other games last night, which he is efficient with his shooting. My worry is that for big men in college sometimes it doesn't translate that well in the NBA where everyone else is 7'0" too.

For sure I understand. Again I'm no expert nor claim to be but I feel to have a pretty good feel for this kid and his game translating to the nba. I also feel landing with us would be a picture perfect spot for him with Davis at the 4.

[HornetGuru]

The elite scorers tend to behave like they deserve every big shot. We need scorers in the worst way.

This, its prob frustrating for a scorer like bazz to play for uclas terrible offensive system, he will be a good scorer and defender in the NBA, love to have him

[HornetGuru]

we want no part of bogut, dude gets hurt more than gordon

[kclaboy504]

we want no part of bogut, dude gets hurt more than gordon

For sure I don't think anyone here wants him tho lol..he just made a Len bogut comparison

[HornetGuru]

dont like a Len Bogut comparison at all, totally different

[luckyman]

This, its prob frustrating for a scorer like bazz to play for uclas terrible offensive system, he will be a good scorer and defender in the NBA, love to have him

I see a lot of Paul Pierce in him. Not overly athletic but gets it done.

[Pelicans78]

I wonder if Shabazz will be an overrated chucker like Rudy Gay. Shabazz has an extremely high usage rate.

[HornetGuru]

I see a lot of Paul Pierce in him. Not overly athletic but gets it done.

I also see paul pierce, but a better defender, they both have a nice jumpshot, arent quick but use their skills to create and body weight and strength to finish thru contact, shabazz is 18 so if he hits an inch im fine with a 6"7 SF who can score

[HornetGuru]

Since we are doing big boards here is Chad Ford's big board, he is supposed to be the best in the business:
1. ben mclemore
2. nerlens noel
3. marcus smart
4. otto porter
5. anthony bennette
6. victor oladipo
7. shabazz muhammad
8. Cody Zeller
9. Alex Len
10. Gary Harris

my list is almost the same but a little different, i flipped shabazz and oladipo and put burke at 9 and have len and harris tied at 10.

1. ben mclemore
2. nerlens noel
3. marcus smart
4. otto porter
5. anthony bennette
6. shabazz muhamad
7. victor oladipo
8. cody zeller
9. trey burke
10a. alex len
10b. gary harris

[wuggie]

I wonder if Shabazz will be an overrated chucker like Rudy Gay. Shabazz has an extremely high usage rate.

He dosent take many "bad" shots they're mostly shots around the rim to maybe the freethrow line.

[HornetGuru]

bazz has a ton of potential, remember otto porter did not look great his freshmen year, when shabazz puts it together he will be a lethal scorer.

[wuggie]

I also see paul pierce, but a better defender, they both have a nice jumpshot, arent quick but use their skills to create and body weight and strength to finish thru contact, shabazz is 18 so if he hits an inch im fine with a 6"7 SF who can score

I also see a tad bit of Carmelo(as 247's article stated) with his post game and around the rim moves and maybe a lil D West too(personality wise). He just has a potential to be a consistent and potent offensive player that you don't see often anymore.

[HornetGuru]

I also see a tad bit of Carmelo(as 247's article stated) with his post game and around the rim moves and maybe a lil D West too(personality wise). He just has a potential to be a consistent and potent offensive player that you don't see often anymore.

ya, melo also doesnt have quickness but supreme strength and body control to finish, i can see it, if he comes anywhere close to pierce or melo ill be fine with it...

[wuggie]

ya, melo also doesnt have quickness but supreme strength and body control to finish, i can see it, if he comes anywhere close to pierce or melo ill be fine with it...

Heck yeah. One possible problem is his attitude but its not too bad. He just puts a lot of responsibility on his self and expects a lot from himself and others, so for now#teamshabazz lol

[HornetGuru]

Heck yeah. One possible problem is his attitude but its not too bad. He just puts a lot of responsibility on his self and expects a lot from himself and others, so for now#teamshabazz lol

Well I dont think bazz has any atitude at all, when he got mad he didnt get to take the last shot it wasnt because he is a ball hog, it is because he is just like kobe, a fierce competitor, and u know what they say, winners want the ball, i like hit competitive nature, it makes someone always give 110% kobe has it, cp3 has it, anthony davis has it, if bazz can grow another inch id be so happy to have him, and say gordon doesnt workout we can trade him and someone else for a draft pick and maybe luck out and land wiggins, parker or randle, next year's draft is absolutely stacked at the SF position.

[HornetGuru]

Im not one for promoting losing, but i am one for developing our young guys because they are our future, i could care less if we win or lose now, all i care about is our players developing and getting better, this will make us a better team in the future rather than splurging on vets who are in their prime now instead of a couple years who will want to be ball dominant now which will decrease our development of our future stars, if we somehow luck out next year and somehow can get a decent lottery pick or use that pick and trade it with a valuable player or future draft pick and land someone like parker, wiggins or randle along with getting noel this year we can have a future roster that looks like this, not including all the money we will have in free agency!!

rivers
gordon
parker/wiggins/randle
davis/ryno
noel

this team in 3-4 years would be tops in the league

rivers can create, score and defend
gordon same as rivers
parker is the next melo and can score from anywhere on the court and his defense is ok, which im fine with since ad and noel will lock it down

[NOLa.]

dont like a Len Bogut comparison at all, totally different

They are very much alike when you compare their post game, a strength of both players. Of course Bogut does have that European style of flavor to his game since he came in.

[Kibner]

Also, that whole thing with Bogut being a top defensive center.

[Purple Haze]

Assuming he comes out...

If we wind up in slot #2 and McLemore is the first pick, then I think the no-brainer is selecting Nerlens. I'll probably wind up posting this a trillion times before draft day, but Noel and McLemore are just so much more athletic than everyone else in this class. The others have question marks to the point where you have to wonder how they'll contribute in the NBA. But with McLemore and Nerlens, you know you're getting someone who won't be in over his head physically. Porter is a skilled swingman, Shabazz can score, but Nerlens is a freak athlete big man and that's just rare. The opportunity to pair Davis & Noel I think far, far outweighs any other option on the board. The NBA has evolved into a league where the big man's game is played above the rim; and if we can pair 2 guys who can run and jump like freaks, then I think we've set ourselves up for a situation where we enter every game with a distinct advantage. Hell, the Saints could even trot them out for hail mary situations.

Look back at last year's draft and look how those rookies are doing. The only 2 you can flat out say are future heavyweights in the NBA are Lillard and Davis. A big freak athlete and an athletic as all hell PG. No one foresaw Robinson's struggles, MKG's struggles, or Beal's struggles. Waiters is playing well, but there's no telling how he'll finish. I'm not saying those guys aren't any good, but just that if you redraft, Davis and Lillard are 1 & 2.

Davis and Lillard have the following in common; they were the 2 rookies who athletically were freakish. They possessed explosion + great feet.

So IMO, when in doubt, go with the blockbuster athletes who show good feet. It won't always work out well; if you look at the 2011 draft, you'd say go with the guys who come in skill-ready (Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson). But I standby my original point: Put Davis & Noel on the floor together and you give yourself at least the strength of entering every game with 2 of the most athletic big men to ever walk the earth.

New Orleans = Swat City

Great post. I agree, you kind of have to take Noel if he's still on the board.

GV/Rivers
Gordon/Rivers
Brewer/Aminu
Davis/Anderson
Noel/Lopez

You could do MUCH worse in the middle of a rebuild.

[Purple Haze]

If team's FOs aren't concerned about his knee (and they said it was a very clean tear) you have to pick Noel if he's there.



Just go to 4:10. Pretty much sums up Noel in one play. Insane athlete, fast feet, no jumper whatesoever.

[SaintBrock]

If the knee checks out and we are in the position to draft him, you have to take Noel. If AD is Duncan/Garnett, then it would be a waste to move him to the center position full time. Robin Lopez was a nice pick up on a good contract but he has too many holes in his game to be full time starter. We need to pair AD with someone else to solidfy our frontcourt. Noel and AD would be dynamic. And call me silly, but I still believe Austin Rivers will turn out to be a really nice player in the near future whether his role turns out to be a full time point guard or combo guard off the bench.

[wuggie]

Im not one for promoting losing, but i am one for developing our young guys because they are our future, i could care less if we win or lose now, all i care about is our players developing and getting better, this will make us a better team in the future rather than splurging on vets who are in their prime now instead of a couple years who will want to be ball dominant now which will decrease our development of our future stars, if we somehow luck out next year and somehow can get a decent lottery pick or use that pick and trade it with a valuable player or future draft pick and land someone like parker, wiggins or randle along with getting noel this year we can have a future roster that looks like this, not including all the money we will have in free agency!!

rivers
gordon
parker/wiggins/randle
davis/ryno
noel

this team in 3-4 years would be tops in the league

rivers can create, score and defend
gordon same as rivers
parker is the next melo and can score from anywhere on the court and his defense is ok, which im fine with since ad and noel will lock it down

Yeah this team has the potential be mind blowingly great. If Noel is there take him. Him AND Davis??? That's just unfair. He's gonna go number 1 though. You could throw a fricking brick and rim lol. I won't even begin to talk about those kids from next years draft at sf. Too much